Morocco PCV Brendan Moroso writes: Revolution has finally come to North Africa and the Middle East bringing hope of democratic reform

Demographically, the protestors who dethroned strong men in Egypt and Tunisia are younger and more urban then any previous generation. And they are the first generation to be predominately raised in a household with satellite television. For starters, this rural to urban shift plays a much bigger role then previously understood. Though conservative ideologies still hold sway amongst the elderly rural population, the urban centers have been rapidly developing as cities with western liberal ideals. This shift has been coming for a while as the migration from rural to urban gains pace. Its influence can be felt throughout civil society. For example, in Morocco rural women still wear the hijab and are rarely seen out in public. However, their wealthier urban counterparts Advertisement tend not to cover their hair, preferring to mimic the styles seen on 2M and MTV Arabia. They also take much greater advantage of public spaces, eating in restaurants and meeting friends in cafes. As more of the population leaves the agrarian countryside, the pace of this trend will quicken. The modernizing affects of urban migration are well documented, however in this case they are supplemented by technological changes. As previously stated the young people who are sounding the charge for change throughout the Middle East and North Africa are the first generation to be raised with television, primarily with programming produced in Europe or America. Twitter and Facebook have played their parts in organizing and directing forces, but these tools can be shut down and taken away all too easily.

Theory claims that democracies don't go to war with each other, yet despite this the world has feared democracy coming to the Islamic world for far too long.

This fear is not completely unfounded. Hamas, the de facto elected government of the Gaza Strip, has frequently shown itself to be willing to use random violence in its ongoing conflict with Israel.

More importantly, the specter of Islamic Fundamentalism has been a constant worry in the minds of western governments.

However revolution has finally come to North Africa and the Middle East bringing hope of democratic reform and showing this fear to be hollow.

Why did these fears prove to be so misguided?

Demographically, the protestors who dethroned strong men in Egypt and Tunisia are younger and more urban then any pervious generation. And they are the first generation to be predominately raised in a household with satellite television.

For starters, this rural to urban shift plays a much bigger role then previously understood. Though conservative ideologies still hold sway amongst the elderly rural population, the urban centers have been rapidly developing as cities with western liberal ideals.

This shift has been coming for a while as the migration from rural to urban gains pace. Its influence can be felt throughout civil society. For example, in Morocco rural women still wear the hijab and are rarely seen out in public. However, their wealthier urban counterparts tend not to cover their hair, preferring to mimic the styles seen on 2M and MTV Arabia.

They also take much greater advantage of public spaces, eating in restaurants and meeting friends in cafes. As more of the population leaves the agrarian countryside, the pace of this trend will quicken.

The modernizing affects of urban migration are well documented, however in this case they are supplemented by technological changes.

As previously stated the young people who are sounding the charge for change throughout the Middle East and North Africa are the first generation to be raised with television, primarily with programming produced in Europe or America.

Twitter and Facebook have played their parts in organizing and directing forces, but these tools can be shut down and taken away all too easily.

While the Internet reinforces the social norms of its youthful users, television is responsible for bringing in norms that were, until recently, foreign.

There is still a risk that, though it was the new generation that pushed for reform, older, more conservative forces could take control through the ballot box and not let go. But to the new generations these revolutions are seen as one step on the path toward becoming a rich and influential nation along the lines of the United States or Turkey. It is hoped that when that day comes, things will finally be as seen on TV.

Brendan Moroso is a Terra Nova High School graduate and Eagle Scout from Linda Mar's Troop 264. He earned his BA in history from UC-Santa Cruz and his MA in War Studies from King's College London. He is currently working in Morocco with the U.S. Peace Corps. You can follow his story at http://theextremewest.blogspot.com/ His parents live in Vallemar.

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Story Source: Mercury News

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